Stray bullet hits bystander in chaotic Pakwach mob clash
“We condemn attacks on police officers and urge the public to refrain from mob justice, which puts innocent lives at risk,” Asea said.
Pakwach: A routine police rescue operation in Pokwero Market Village, Pukweru Parish, Pukweru Sub-county, took a tragic turn on July 5, 2025, when a stray bullet struck an innocent bystander during a violent confrontation between police and an angry mob.
The incident, officially registered under SD: 45/05/07/2025 and linked to theft case PKH/CRB/270/2025, has reignited public debate over mob justice and safety during police operations.
At around 10:00 AM, officers from Pakwach Police Station responded to a distress call reporting that two theft suspects Omirambe David (25) and Oloya Simon (32), both peasant farmers from Ayabu Village, Ragem Upper Parish were being detained and assaulted by an irate mob.
The situation escalated when the crowd torched a motorcycle belonging to one of the suspects, prompting police intervention. As officers attempted to rescue the suspects and transport them to Panyango Police Station, the mob turned hostile, smashing a police vehicle’s side mirror and threatening officers.
Innocent Bystander caught in the crossfire
In an effort to disperse the crowd and restore order, police fired shots into the air. Tragically, a stray bullet struck 32-year-old Oketwengu Charles — locally known as Oyuda a peasant farmer from Acuma Village, who was reportedly not involved in the scuffle.
Charles was quickly rushed to Pakwach Health Centre IV, where he remains under medical observation. His injury has sparked anger and concern among local residents, many questioning the conduct of both the crowd and the police.
SP Collins Asea, the North and West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson, described the operation as “highly volatile,” revealing that officers were also forced to rescue the GISO (Gombolola Internal Security Officer) of Pokwero Sub-county, who faced threats of lynching.
“We condemn attacks on police officers and urge the public to refrain from mob justice, which puts innocent lives at risk,” Asea said.
This incident echoes findings from the Uganda Police Force’s 2024 Annual Crime Report, released on February 19, 2025, which noted a 4.1% drop in overall crime (from 228,074 cases in 2023 to 218,715 in 2024). However, theft remains the leading offense, accounting for 28% of all crimes, with 61,529 reported cases in 2024.
Mob justice, particularly in rural areas like Pakwach, continues to hamper lawful police work and often escalates minor disputes into violent and chaotic events with tragic consequences.
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the circumstances of the stray bullet, as well as the broader altercation. The Uganda Police Force reiterated its commitment to community policing and urged residents to report crimes through proper legal channels rather than taking matters into their own hands.
Updates on Charles’ medical condition and the investigation’s progress are expected in the coming days.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by mob violence, and the lasting consequences on innocent bystanders like Oketwengu Charles whose life was changed in an instant amid a storm of chaos.
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